Disability Compensation / Supplemental Pension Aid and Attendance

Disability Compensation

Disability compensation is a monthly tax-free benefit paid to Veterans who are at least 10% disabled because of injuries or diseases that were incurred in or aggravated during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. A disability can apply to physical conditions, such as a chronic knee condition, as well as a mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Benefit

The benefit amount is graduated according to the degree of the Veteran's disability on a scale from 10 percent to 100 percent (in increments of 10 percent). Compensation may also be paid for disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service. Generally, the degrees of disability specified are also designed to compensate for considerable loss of working time from exacerbations or illnesses.

If you have dependents, an additional allowance may be added if your combined disability is rated 30% or greater. Your compensation may be offset if you receive military retirement pay, disability severance pay, or separation incentive payments.

Eligibility

Service in the Uniformed Services on active duty, OR

Active duty for training, OR

Inactive duty training, AND

You were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, AND

You are at least 10% disabled by an injury or disease that was incurred in or aggravated during active duty or active duty for training, or inactive duty training

Note: If you were on inactive duty for training, the disability must have resulted from injury, heart attack, or stroke.

Evidence Required

Medical evidence of a current physical or mental disability, AND

Evidence of a relationship between your disability and an injury, disease, or event in military service. Medical records or medical opinions are required to establish this relationship.

Note: Under certain circumstances, VA may conclude that certain current disabilities were caused by service, even if there is no specific evidence proving this in your particular claim.

Copies of all medical treatment records relation to the condition being claimed

Doctor's office visit records, hospital records, statements from physicians, and copies of any service medical records.

A certified copy of all discharge documents (DD-214's);

Copies of all marriage licenses for the current and all previous spouses;

Copies of divorce decrees and/or death certificates from previous spouses;

Copies of divorce decrees and/or death certificates for all of your current spouse's previous marriages;

Social Security numbers for your spouse and all eligible dependent children;

Additional documents may be necessary depending on the individual situation.

Supplemental Income Pension Benefit

Supplemental Income for Wartime Veterans

VA helps Veterans and their families cope with financial challenges by providing supplemental income through the Veterans Pension benefit. Veterans Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to low-income wartime Veterans.
Generally, a Veteran must have at least 90 days of active duty service, with at least one day during a wartime period to qualify for a VA Pension. If you entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally you must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions), with at least one day during a wartime period.

In addition to meeting minimum service requirements, the Veteran must be:

Age 65 or older, OR

Totally and permanently disabled, OR

A patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, OR

Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, OR

Receiving Supplemental Security Income

Your yearly family income must be less than the amount set by Congress to qualify for the Veterans Pension benefit

Aid & Attendance (A&A)

Veterans and survivors who are eligible for a VA pension and require the aid and attendance of another person, or are housebound, may be eligible for additional monetary payment. These benefits are paid in addition to monthly pension, and they are not paid without eligibility to Pension.

Since Aid and Attendance and Housebound allowances increase the pension amount, people who are not eligible for a basic pension due to excessive income may be eligible for pension at these increased rates. A Veteran or surviving spouse may not receive Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound benefits at the same time./

The Aid & Attendance (A&A) increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension amount if you meet one of the following conditions:

You require the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting yourself from the hazards of your daily environment

You are bedridden, in that your disability or disabilities requires that you remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment

You are a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity

Your eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less

Housebound

This increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension amount when you are substantially confined to your immediate premises because of permanent disability

A statement from the Veteran’s physician must be submitted which provides the medical history, diagnosis, prognosis, and the degree of disabling effect of the medical condition.

A form is available from the County Veterans Service Office to serve this purpose.

Supporting documentation includes:

A certified copy of the Veteran’s discharge from active duty;

Copies of marriage licenses and divorce decrees for all marriages and the current spouses divorce decree or death certificate for the most recent marriage prior to marrying the Veteran;

If the Veteran is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or receiving in-home-care; a statement attesting to the rate of charges and the amount paid by the Veteran must be submitted. A form for this purpose is available from the County Veterans Service Office.

We strongly advise applicants to consult with the County Veterans Service Office prior to submitting this application. We can assist the widow in completing the application and acquiring supporting documents. This may help to reduce delays in receiving benefits or even prevent denial of benefits

We strongly advise applicants to consult with the County Veterans Service Office prior to submitting this application. We can assist the widow in completing the application and acquiring supporting documents. This may help to reduce delays in receiving benefits or preventing the denial of benefits.